Under which one of the following Sections of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 has 'protection of action taken in good faith' been provided?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — D, Section 14A. 'Protection of action taken in good faith' is provided in Section 14A of the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955. It shields the Government and its officers from suits, prosecutions or other legal proceedings for anything done, or intended to be done, in good faith under the Act — a standard 'good-faith immunity' clause. Like the collective-fine power, it was brought in by the 1976 amendment.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) Section 16A does not carry the good-faith protection; the good-faith immunity clause is expressly Section 14A.  (b) Section 15A lays down the 'Duty of the State Government' to ensure that the rights arising from the abolition of untouchability are enjoyed — not protection for actions taken in good faith.  (c) Section 16B is the rule-making power ('Power to make rules'); it is not the good-faith protection clause.

Concept: A 'protection of action taken in good faith' section is a routine feature of Indian statutes: it bars legal proceedings against the Government or officials for bona fide acts done under the law, so that enforcement is not paralysed by fear of personal liability. In the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 this immunity sits in Section 14A, immediately after Section 14 (offences by companies).

State PCS 2018 Q88 — Indian Polity PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2018 Q88 — Indian Polity PYQ with Answer